by Wyandotte Daily Sports
The Bonner Springs Braves fell to Wichita’s Bishop Carroll Eagles on Thursday evening in the opening round of the 5A KSHSAA state tournament in Emporia.
The Braves were overwhelmed by the Eagles from the opening tip. The Eagles looked like they couldn’t miss, and the Braves shooting went cold as Bishop Carroll raced out to a 28-7 first-quarter lead.
Bonner came back with determination in the second quarter, outscoring the Eagles to get to a manageable 49-37 halftime margin.
Bishop Carroll held the Braves at arm’s length in the second half, keeping them at a 15-to-20 point distance through the fourth quarter and not allowing a comeback.
Keyon Thomas led the Braves in scoring with 18 points, including 13 of 13 at the free throw line. A.J. Watson scored 16 and earned 6 assists. Richaud Docker scored 14 with 6 rebounds.
Bonner Springs finishes the season with a 20-3 record, earning the Frontier League and sub-state championships.
In other tournament action, the Piper Lady Pirates defeated Eudora 52-37 at the 4A KSHSAA state tournament to move on to the semi-finals on Friday in Salina.
Piper led from the start, opening up a 16-to-6 first-quarter lead.
The Pirates spread the scoring around, and no player scored in double digits. Grace Banes and Riley Porter each scored 9, and Riley Cobbins added 8. Banes got her points with 3-of-3 perfect 3-point shooting. Ali Vigil cleaned the boards with 10 rebounds.
The Lady Pirates will face off against the Nickerson High School Panthers at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Tony’s Pizza Event Center in Salina, Kansas.
